AN almost decade-long campaign which fought to reduce the speed limit on a road where drivers were clocked at more than 70mph past a school has finally ended - after an official order to approve the scheme came into force to protect children.

Millhouse Primary School, on the junction of Lee Lane and the A628 Manchester Road, has been at the centre of a bid to reduce the limit from 40mph to 30mph.

Of the town’s 70-plus primary schools, it was the only one to have a 40mph limit outside its gates, the Chronicle understands.

Members of the ‘30 For A Reason’ group have been urging action to be taken for years, backed by MPs and local councillors, particularly since a survey judged average speeds close to where more than a hundred children walk through the week.

A Barnsley Council probe into its dangerous pinch-points - chiefly the junction and its joining up with the A628 towards Dunford Bridge - ruled in the favour of campaigners, bringing an end to the long-running dispute.

George Reid, from the 30 For A Reason group, told the Chronicle: “We started the campaign in mid-2020 and that was because of the clear danger.

“It’s taken so long and there’s been a lot of people to get on board with this - the evidence we regularly see does take time to convince those responsible to implement what we fought for.

“I’m so chuffed to announce our campaign has been successful and recently Barnsley Council’s highways team changed the speed limit to 30mph.

“It’s been a lot of years to get that to happen, but I want to celebrate this success as we wouldn’t have been able to do it without the public’s support.”

A petition - led by George - received more than 500 signatures after the 30 For A Reason group held a speed survey on the road.

It saw average speeds of 45.2mph recorded, with 76mph the fastest.

Coun Hannah Kitching, who represents the Penistone West ward, praised locals for their hard work in securing the speed limit reduction.

She added: “Many schools in the borough have 20mph limits but reducing Millhouse’s from 40mph to 30mph is a huge win and it’s testament to those responsible for making it happen.

“I hope it acts as a catalyst for more schools to follow in the footsteps - everyone’s aware of the danger that faces children, their parents and carers twice-daily from Monday to Friday - this shows what can be achieved.

“The 40mph limit was regularly ignored - it’s a dangerous stretch and it’s been high on the school’s agenda for obvious reasons.

“It’s been a true, community-led initiative and I’m very pleased common sense has prevailed.”

Karen Gray, the school’s headteacher, said the move has been welcomed by parents and carers who backed the campaign ‘wholeheartedly’.

“I started here in 2016 and it’s been high on the agenda since then - that shows just how important it’s been to everyone here,” she said.

“So many of our families walk to the school and it’s been an accident waiting to happen for so long, especially so given the results of the speed survey.

“Our school governors have been active, working alongside Barnsley Council to secure this reduction.

“It’s also important to mention the council’s own ‘Beat The Street’ initiative, which we are fully supportive of as it boosts kids’ physical activity by encouraging them to walk, cycle or scoot to school, but doing that is another thing entirely when we’re located on such a precarious road.

“We’ve had many, many reports of near-misses but we couldn’t wait for something serious to occur before acting, so this is a very welcome step in the right direction after years of campaigning.”

The council received a government grant to improve road safety on the A628 - a major route which connects the borough with Derbyshire and Manchester via the Woodhead Pass.

Several locations along its route were prioritised, according to a report into its implementation, which included the school.

It added: “Historically, these sections of road have experienced congestion, delays, inconsiderate and obstructive parking leading to pinch-points and significant impacts on visibility at junctions.

“There’s obstruction and inconvenience for pedestrians and pushchair and wheelchair users, as well as other vulnerable road users.

“The speed limit restriction will increase the awareness of the approaching speed limit, allowing drivers to take the appropriate action in an increased safety distance.”